|
By
Michael Coate
|
|
This
edition of Inside DVD (& D-VHS)
will focus on the early part
of 2003, particularly January
and February. A number of exciting
releases are in the works,
so read on. But first, let’s
get some hardware and software
statistics out of the way.
DVD players continue to sell at an amazing pace with units sold
in the U.S. during the year 2002 exceeding 15 million. The total
number of players sold since the format’s launch has topped
40 million. And for those keeping score on the number of titles
released on DVD, the number of Region 1 DVDs released has reached
20,000.
D-VHS
D-Theater
By the time you read this article, the number of movies released
on the D-VHS D-Theater platform will have exceeded 25. The first
year goal (June 2002-June 2003) was said to be about 100 titles.
Will that goal be met? Stay tuned.
 The
available D-Theater movie titles
as this is being written are:
“Backdraft”
“Behind Enemy Lines”
“Big Momma’s House”
“The Bone Collector”
“Cast Away”
“Don’t Say A word”
“End Of Days”
“Entrapment”
“Fight Club”
“From Hell”
“GalaxyQuest”
“The Haunting”
“High Crimes”
“Ice Age”
“Independence Day”
“Kiss Of The Dragon”
“Men Of Honor”
“National Lampoon’s Van Wilder”
“Planet Of The Apes”
“The Peacemaker”
“Spy Game”
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day”
“U-571”
“X-Men”
Other titles announced but not yet released at press time from
Artisan include “Basic Instinct” (which is expected In
January), “Dirty Dancing,” and “The Terminator.” DreamWorks
has made no recent announcements of any additional titles. Fox
has stated that more titles will be on the way. Additional titles
are expected to be announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
January 9-12, 2003.
We’ve learned that Joe Kane Productions is nearing completion
of production on “Digital Video Essentials,” a high-definition
update to the popular “Video Essentials” calibration/set-up
disc, and is due to be released in D-Theater format sometime in
January. The plan is to offer the title in two editions: 720p and
1080i, with a 1080p version offered down the road.
In addition, HDNet has made available a number of special interest
programming in D-VHS (but not D-Theater-encrypted), including the “Bikini
Destinations” and “Smart Travels” series. All D-VHS
and D-Theater titles can be ordered at WSR’s DVHSMovie Guide.com
Web site.
Okay, moving on to DVD....
Anchor
Bay
Anchor Bay Entertainment has plenty in store for 2003. Over the
course of the year the company will continue to release the usual
assortment of horror, foreign, and genuinely oddball titles the
major studios can’t or won’t touch. Some of the many
releases you can expect will be “Escape 2000,” “Michael
Nesmith’s Elephant Parts,” “Fear No Evil,” Peter
Jackson’s “Meet The Feebles,” “Winter Kills,” and “Powwow
Highway.” Some Special Edition releases with remastered DTS-ES
Discrete 6.1 and Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks will include “Dawn
Of The Dead,” “Day Of The Dead,” and “The Man
Who Fell To Earth.”
In January, look for The Wim Wenders Collection, consisting of “The
American Friend,” “Notebook On Cities & Clothes,” and “Lightning
Over Water,” and The Peter Sellers Collection, which will
include “Two Way Stretch,” “The Smallest Show On
Earth,” “I’m All Right Jack,” “Heaven
Above!,” and “Hoffman.”
Artisan
Fans of “Stargate” will be pleased that Artisan is planning
another -- and hopefully definitive -- version of this popular
science-fiction adventure. Scheduled for release on February 18,
this latest DVD of “Stargate” will include a new anamorphic
widescreen transfer, newly remixed DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 and Dolby
Digital Surround EX soundtracks, and some new supplemental material.
Buena
Vista
 Buena
Vista’s big January release
will be M. Night Shyamalan’s
latest thriller “Signs,” starring
Mel Gibson. The disc is scheduled
for release on January 7 (SRP
$29.99), and will include an
anamorphic widescreen version
of the movie along with Dolby
Digital 5.1 audio. Supplements
will include an audio commentary
track by the director, deleted
scenes, and featurettes.
On the 14th, Disney will release a wave of family titles including “The
Absent Minded Professor,” “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides
Again” (the original “Apple Dumpling Gang” should
arrive in the spring), “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,” “Gus,” “The
Horse In The Gray Flannel Suit,” and “The Moon Spinners.” Retail
will be $19.99 and all will be 1.33:1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
or stereo depending on the title. (Disney: where are “Freaky
Friday” and the “Witch Mountain” movies???)
The 21st will see the release of the latest direct-to-video animated
sequel: “101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure,” which
will be anamorphic widescreen and DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1.
SRP is $29.99, and supplements include bloopers, outtakes, commercials,
a “dog-umentary,” Will Young music video, and a Lost
In London game.
On February 4, expect “Sweet Home Alabama,” as well as
the Large Format film “Ultimate X.”
 On
the Miramax and Dimension labels, “Spy Kids
2: The Island Of Lost Dreams” will arrive February
18 (SRP $29.99). The Dimension Collector’s Series
will include audio commentary with director Robert
Rodriguez, deleted scenes, outtakes, “Isle Of
Dreams” music video, stills gallery, “Spy
Kids School,” featurettes, and DVD-ROM content.
The 18th will also see the release of the director’s
cut edition of Giuseppe Tornatore’s well-loved “Cinema
Paradiso.” The DVD-18 will include both the
original cut and the extended director’s cut
in the original Italian language Dolby Digital 5.1
and anamorphic widescreen.
As for catalog and direct-to-video releases, January will see the
release of “Ethan Frome,” “The Journey Of August
King,” “Roadracers,” “The Substance Of Fire,” “Time
Out,” and “Summer Fling.” Those will all hit stores
on the 14th, all will be anamorphic widescreen (except for the
made-for-TV “Roadracers” which is 1.33:1), and will feature
Dolby Digital 2.0 audio. New Miramax DVDs on the 21st will include “Ordinary
Decent Criminal,” “Tadpole,” and “Tangled” (all
anamorphic and DD 5.1). Tornatore’s 1995 effort “The
Star Maker” will street February 4. The same day will see
the release of “Citizen Ruth,” “Into The West,” “Jane
Eyre” (1996), and “The Night And The Moment,” (all
anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0).
 The
big collectible in March will no doubt be the VISTA
Series edition of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” due
on the 25th ($29.99). Fans of this landmark 1988
production will be treated to many highlights including
a new anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers,
remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, and all new supplements
including the three Roger Rabbit shorts: “Tummy
Trouble” (which played theatrically with “Honey,
I Shrunk The Kids”), “Roller Coaster Rabbit” (“Dick
Tracy”), and “Trail Mix-Up” (“A
Far Off Place”) which were previously available
on a “Best Of Roger Rabbit” LaserDisc that,
well, never quite got officially released. Additional
extras include an audio commentary track featuring
director Robert Zemeckis and producer Frank Marshall,
a newly-produced documentary “Behind The Ears:
The True Story Of Roger Rabbit,” split-screen
comparisons, some additional featurettes, and games.
Due on March 4 will be the first season of “The Osbournes.” The
two-disc set will feature the entire first season’s episodes,
along with clips from some unaired episodes, blooper reel, audio
commentary tracks, and more. “The Osbournes” will be
available for $29.99 and in a choice of censored or uncensored
versions. Not to out-do the heavy metal madman and his crazy family,
Disney has their direct-to-video sequel to “Inspector Gadget” arriving
in stores a week later.
Fans of Disney’s classic animated titles will be pleased to
learn that “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Lion King” are
next in line to be released on DVD and will appear later in the
year. And “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” is in production
as a deluxe edition and should get released sometime in 2003.
Miramax has revealed interest in revisiting selected titles as
Special Editions but no titles have been announced. Buena Vista
also has dozens of catalog titles set to be released throughout
the spring, including Krzysztof Kieslowski’s long-awaited “Three
Colors” trilogy: “Blue,” “White,” and “Red.” And
finally, expect winter DVD arrivals of “Tuck Everlasting,” “Moonlight
Mile,” “Full Frontal,” “Naqoyqatsi,” and “Spirited
Away.” Additional titles and disc specs will be revealed in
future articles.
Columbia
TriStar
 Columbia
TriStar has a handful of discs
planned for January and February
including an award-winning
film from Iran, the classic
comedy “Shampoo” with
Warren Beatty and a trio of
Humphrey Bogart classics.
The award-winning “Secret Ballot” will be released January
7, presented in anamorphic widescreen and Farsi Dolby Digital 2.0
audio. SRP is $29.95. “Educating Rita” and “Brother
John” will be released the same day.
“Dead Reckoning,” “The Devil At 4 O’Clock,” and “Joe
And Max” will arrive January 14. “Dead Reckoning” will be presented
in its original 1.33:1 ratio and “Devil” will be anamorphic widescreen;
both will be Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. “Joe And Max” will be anamorphic
widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1. All three will retail for $24.95. “Dead
Reckoning” will include a photo gallery.
“The Harder They Fall,” “Sirocco,” and “Shampoo” are
set for January 21. “Sirocco” ($24.95) will be original 1.33:1, “The
Harder They Fall” ($24.95) will include anamorphic widescreen, and “Shampoo” ($19.95)
will include anamorphic widescreen and full screen editions. All three titles
will be mono. “Shampoo” won’t include any supplements, while the
other two titles will include a photo montage. Also due on the 21st are “World
Traveler” (which will include a commentary track) and the 2001 Spanish film “Mad
Love.”
Paul Michael Glaser’s (Starsky from the “Starsky & Hutch” TV
series) feature film directorial debut, “Band Of The Hand,” will
be released January 28. Dana Carvey’s latest, “The Master
Of Disguise,” will hit stores the same day, as will the original
1936 edition of “Pennies From Heaven” and James “King
of the World” Cameron’s directorial debut “Piranha
Part Two: The Spawning.”
“Formula 51” (aka “The 51st State”) will arrive February
4. And on February 11, the studio will release the latest Madonna turkey, “Swept
Away.” Also due in February are the second season set of “All In The
Family” and a first season set of “Good Times,” as well as a “Most
Outrageous Episodes” set of “Married...With Children.”
Late-winter/spring releases may include “I Spy,” “Punch-Drunk
Love,” and “Half Past Dead.”
And what about Superbit? Will there be more releases? A common
question we are asked by our readers. The studio says yes, but
no new titles have been set at this time. Other DVD Regions have
been treated to some titles not offered here in Region 1 (such
as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Men In Black,” and “Godzilla”),
so don’t be surprised if some of those surface here in the
future. In the meantime enjoy the recently released Superbit editions
of “Tommy,” “Resident Evil,” and “Heavy
Metal 2000.”
Criterion
 The
Criterion Collection and Home
Vision Entertainment promise
an extraordinary year of DVD
releases. Kicking it off in
January will be a deluxe edition
of Terry Gilliam’s wild
take on Hunter S. Thompson’s
novel “Fear And Loathing
In Las Vegas.” Previously
released on disc by Universal
Studios Home Video, this new
Criterion two-disc release
corrects the earlier edition’s
2.0 audio deficiency by not
only including a Dolby Digital
5.1 track but DTS as well.
Additional extras include two
audio commentaries, a Hunter
S. Thompson interview, deleted
scenes, storyboards, Ralph
Steadman artwork and a documentary.
Home Vision plans to release “Victim,” “I See A
Dark Stranger,” and the 1946 version of “The Killers.” In
addition, expect Home Vision to continue offering discs in the “Zatoichi
The Blind Swordsman” series.
Criterion releases set for February release include a new definitive
version of Jean Cocteau’s 1946 classic “Beauty And The
Beast,” Vilgot Sjoman’s companion “I Am Curious” films “Yellow” and “Blue,” and
Volker Schlondorff and Margarethe von Trotta’s “The Lost
Honor Of Katharina Blum.”
“Beauty And The Beast” is set to include a “breathtaking new high-definition
transfer made from restored elements,” an original opera written for the
film by composer Philip Glass presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, an interview with
the cinematographer, two audio commentary tracks featuring film historians Arthur
Knight and Sir Christopher Frayling, and many additional extras. SRP is $39.95
and the street date is February 11. The date for the other two February titles
is the 25th.
Many other Home Vision and Criterion titles will no doubt be announced
as the year progresses. Keep reading!
 DreamWorks
“Road To Perdition” is the lone scheduled DreamWorks DVD as we go to
press. The sure-to-be-nominated for something film is set for release on February
25 with an MAP of $19.95. Specs include anamorphic widescreen, DTS 5.1 and Dolby
Digital 5.1 audio, Sam Mendes audio commentary, deleted scenes, and featurette.
Look for “The Tuxedo” and “The Ring” to be
released sometime in the first or second quarter.
HBO
 The
big news from HBO Video is that they’ve secured
the home video rights to what is now the most successful
independent film of all time. That’s right...”My
Big Fat Greek Wedding.” The hugely popular comedy
is set for release on February 11 (SRP $27.95) and
will include both anamorphic widescreen and full
screen versions on the same disc, along with Dolby
Digital 5.1 audio and a director & cast audio
commentary track.
A week earlier HBO will release “Six Feet Under: The Complete
First Season” in a four-disc DVD collection for $99.98. Included
will be 13 hour-long (1.33:1) episodes, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio,
cast and creator interview segment, a featurette, and the difficult
to explain supplement: “audio commentaries of a deleted scene
and two episodes delivered by Alan Ball.”
Image
Entertainment
Image Entertainment has plenty to offer in January. Their lineup
includes “Django, Kill!,” “Mannaja: A Man Called
Blade,” and “Run Man Run.” The three titles will
also be available in “The Spaghetti Western Collection” set
which adds the original “Django” into the mix. On the
14th, look for “.Com For Murder,” “Blind Date” (1985), “Bloodstone,” “The
Ice Runner,” “The Mystery Of Picasso,” “Shadow
Boxers,” “Skyhigh,” “The String Cheese Incident:
Waiting For The Snow To Fall,” and “The Wild Blue Road.” January
21 titles include “The Fabulous Thunderbirds: Invitation Only,” “Ray
Colt And Winchester Jack,” “Devil’s Kiss,” and “Jack
The Ripper” (1976).
The February lineup includes, on the 11th: “The Shape Of Things
To Come,” “Contamination” (remixed into DTS-ES and
Dolby Digital Surround EX), “The Windsnatchers,” “Fritz
Lang’s Indian Epic,” “King Of The Streets,” “Arsenal,” and “The
Cook And Other Treasures” (with Buster Keaton and “Fatty” Arbuckle).
Also on the 11th will be releases of Michael Powell’s “The
Edge Of The World,” the 1973 television production of Tennessee
Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie,” and “Pass
The Mic!” On the 18th will be “Rock Masters: AC/DC” and “Rock
Masters: The Cure,” as well as another entry in the “Music
In High Places” series: “Angie Stone Live In Vancouver.” Also
on the 18th will be “Cradle Of Fear,” “Island Of
Death,” and three films by Nico Mastorakis: “Grandmother’s
House,” “The Time Traveller,” and “Nightmare
At Noon.” Image also has scheduled for the 18th “The
Return Of Swamp Thing” and “Edie & Pen.” On
the 25th expect Volumes three and four of “Rockthology” and “Drive:
My Life In Skateboarding,” as well as “Michael Winslow:
Comedy Sound Slapdown!” and “Rich Little Starring In
The Presidents.” Collection 5 of “The Twilight Zone” series
will also arrive on the 25th and will complete the DVD collection
of Rod Serling’s classic 1959-1964 anthology series.
Throughout the year expect Image to continue to release plenty
of stage performance/concert productions and many independent and
foreign films, including more Soviet productions from Ruscico.
MGM
 Look
for the comedy hit “Barbershop” to be the
first DVD to usher in the new year. The DVD (SRP
$26.98), due on the 1st, will include anamorphic
widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, plus audio commentary,
four featurettes, deleted scenes with optional commentary,
bloopers and outtakes, an interactive game, a “Trade
It All” music video, and a photo gallery.
“24 Hour Party People,” Michael Winterbottom’s chronicle of the
Manchester, England punk rock and new wave music scene, will arrive January 21
(anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1), along with “Our Song” on
the 14th (non-anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0) and “Igby Goes
Down” February 4 (anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1). Also in
February will be “Women Vs. Men” on the 11th, and “All Or Nothing” on
the 18th.
A Special Edition of Ridley Scott’s “Thelma & Louise” will
finally become available on February 4 ($24.98). Extra features
will include a commentary by Ridley Scott, a second commentary
by stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis and screenwriter Callie
Khouri, four new documentaries, 30 minutes of deleted scenes, the
original, alternate ending (with optional commentary), storyboards
for “The Final Chase,” and a Glenn Frey music video.
Presentation specs will be anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital
5.1.
MGM will offer numerous catalog titles throughout January and February.
Among them on January 7 are “Making Mr. Right,” “Much
Ado About Nothing,” “Mystery Date,” “Secret
Admirer,” “Tune In Tomorrow,” and “The Women
In Red” (all anamorphic widescreen), and “Music From
Another Room,” “Summer Lovers,” and “True Love” (full
screen).
On February 4 seven movies featuring Charles Bronson will arrive
on DVD: “10 To Midnight,” “Assassination,” “Kinjite:
Forbidden Subjects,” “Messenger Of Death,” “Mr.
Majestyk,” “Murphy’s Law.” All will be $14.95,
anamorphic widescreen, and Dolby Digital 2.0; a Charles Bronson
DVD Action Pack set will also be available. Look for “A Prayer
For The Dying” (non-anamorphic widescreen), “No Man’s
Land” (1987 with Charlie Sheen; full screen), and the DVD
debut of “Road House” (anamorphic widescreen)—also
on the 4th. Look for “Larger Than Life” and “Joey” on
the 4th , as well. Both will be full screen, Dolby Digital 2.0
editions.
February 18 catalog titles will include Mel Brooks’ “Life
Stinks” (which will include a commentary and featurette), “Maxie,” “The
Meteor Man,” and “Mr. North” (all anamorphic widescreen),
and “How To Beat The High Cost Of Living,” “Bank
Shot,” and “Basic Training” (all full screen). All
the MGM catalog titles will have an SRP of $14.95.
The 20th official 007 adventure “Die Another Day” is
expected to appear on DVD in April or May, along with a rerelease
of an additional wave of 007 catalog titles. Special Editions in
production that will possibly appear sometime in 2003 include “Dances
With Wolves” (which should include the longer, international
cut of the film), “Salaam Bombay!,” “A Bridge Too
Far,” “The Great Escape,” "The Howling," and
John Carpenter’s “Escape From New York.”
New
Line
 January
21 is the date set for the release of “Simone,” the
celebrity culture satire with Al Pacino. “Simone” will
be a DVD-14 including both anamorphic widescreen
and full screen versions of the movie. Audio will
be DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 and Dolby Digital Surround
EX. Supplements are scheduled to be deleted and alternate
scenes with direct access from the film, three documentaries,
and DVD-ROM content. SRP is $26.98. Also scheduled
for January 21 is “Dinner Rush.”
A week earlier on the 14th, four urban films with hip hop stars
will appear on DVD: “Prison Song,” “Bullet,” “Above
The Rim,” and “Talkin’ Dirty After Dark.” All
will feature anamorphic widescreen and full screen editions, Dolby
Digital 5.1, and will retail for $19.98 (except “Prison Song,” which
is $26.98).
Look for “Knockaround Guys” and “Friday After Next” sometime
in the spring. We may possibly see a DVD release sometime soon
of the already-released-overseas, maybe-it-will-get-released-to-theatres-domestically “Unconditional
Love” (or is it “Who Shot Victor Fox?”). And expect
big things in 2003 with part two in the epic “Lord Of The
Rings” trilogy: “The Two Towers.” Stay tuned for
more on that!
Paramount
Paramount has a few new day-and-date titles set for release in
January and February. The concert film “Martin Lawrence Live:
Runteldat” and “Who Is Cletis Tout?” will arrive
January 7, and on the 28th expect “Serving Sara.” In
February look for “The Four Feathers” and the German
import “Mostly Martha” on the 18th. All will feature
anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. “The Four
Feathers” is set to include audio commentary by the director
and eight featurettes.
As for catalog releases, look for four Elvis Presley titles on
January 7: “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Fun In Acapulco,” “Girls!
Girls! Girls!” and “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” And “Lady
Jane” will be released February 18. All will be anamorphic
widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1.
 On
February 25, the first season of “Star Trek:
Deep Space Nine” will arrive, with future seasons
released over the course of the year similar to the
previous series’ DVDs. And speaking of “Star
Trek,” look for the studio to continue their
Special Edition re-releases of the film series with
films “IV” (“The Voyage Home”)
and “V” (“The Final Frontier”)
due this year. With regard to movie number five,
there is speculation that the film may be recut by
director William Shatner. Stay tuned.
In the spring, Paramount will continue their annual tradition of
offering a cluster of classic westerns. This year’s titles
have not been revealed yet but fans of the highly anticipated,
long-rumored “Once Upon A Time In The West” shouldn’t
get too excited because that title has been confirmed as not being
a part of the spring releases. But that doesn’t mean that
the studio has abandoned their plans to release the Sergio Leone
classic; it just means that it won’t be released for a while.
In the next installment of Inside DVD we hope to get you an “Indiana
Jones” update.
The studio will be jumping on the television bandwagon and will
offer several episodic series on DVD throughout the year, including “CSI:
Crime Scene Investigation.”
And last but not least, a bit of news that may appeal to the audiophiles
in our readership. It has been confirmed that Paramount has revealed
their interest in offering DTS Digital Surround soundtracks on
some upcoming DVD releases. The studio has thus far never offered
any DTS soundtracks (in Region 1, anyway). Although no titles have
been announced, expect at least a couple DTS releases during 2003!
20th
Century Fox
Fox has plenty to offer in 2003, starting with “The Good Girl” on
January 7. Also on the 7th will be a Season Three set of “Buffy
The Vampire Slayer” and Season One of “The Shield.” On
the 21st they will release the direct-to-video sequel “Python
II.” (Betcha can’t wait for that one.) On the 28th look
for “The Banger Sisters.”
Okay, the big highlight for many of you will be the long-rumored
Special Edition DVD for “X-Men.” Well, it’s here! “X-Men
Version 1.5,” and just in time for “X-Men 2” hitting
theatres in May. This new Special Edition will arrive February
11 with an SRP of $26.98. The disc will be anamorphic widescreen
and will also include both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks.
The loaded DVD will include a branched enhanced viewing mode allowing
you to see and hear behind-the-scenes commentary while watching
the movie, a new audio commentary track featuring director Bryan
Singer and actors Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, and Hugh Jackman,
new deleted scenes, and several featurettes (“Mutant Watch,” “The
Uncanny Suspects,” “X-Factor: The Look Of X-Men,” “The
Special Effects Of The X-Men”). There will also be three scenes
with a multi-angle capability, Internet interstitials, footage
from the international premiere, image gallery and an “X-Men
2” sizzle reel. And the disc promises an Easter Egg. And lastly,
the DVD will include a Movie Money coupon worth up to $12 for admission
to either “Daredevil” or “X-Men 2” in theatres.
Also on February 11, Fox will release “Brown Sugar” ($27.98,
anamorphic widescreen and full screen, Dolby Digital 5.1). The
disc will include audio commentary, deleted scenes and two music
videos. A Season One set of “Angel” is also expected
on the 11th.
“One Hour Photo” had originally been set for release on January 28.
Recently, the title was rescheduled for February 18. Available in separate anamorphic
widescreen and full screen versions, either will include Dolby Digital 5.1, audio
commentary by the director, a Sundance Channel Anatomy Of A Scene, interviews
from a “Charlie Rose” Show, and a Cinemax featurette.
Robert Wise’s classic science-fiction film “The Day The
Earth Stood Still” can be yours March 4. Presented in its
original 1.33:1 format and with Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, the extras
will include a 70-minute documentary, audio commentary by Wise
and Nicholas Meyer, an original “Movietone” newsreel,
and a restoration comparison segment.
“Quest For Fire” and a season one set of “NYPD Blue” are
also scheduled for release in March. “Swimfan” and “The Transporter” should
be announced sometime soon. Expect to see additional TV season sets of “Buffy
The Vampire Slayer,” “The Simpsons,” “M*A*S*H,” “24,” and “The
X Files,” and certainly other television series’ as well over the course
of the new year and years to come.
Universal
January 7 should see the release of a wave of Universal catalog
titles. Among them: “American Me,” “The Best Little
Whorehouse In Texas” (includes a featurette and outtakes), “Born
In East L.A.” (previously available as a 1.33:1 edition from
GoodTimes), “CB4,” “North Shore” (includes
commentary, deleted scenes, alternate ending, and interview segment),
and the awkward but inventively titled “To Wong Foo, Thanks
For Everything, Julie Newmar” (includes deleted scenes). All
will feature anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0 presentations
(except “To Wong Foo...”, which will be 5.1).
 As
for new theatrical day-and-date titles, look for “About
A Boy,” “Blue Crush,” and “Undercover
Brother” on January 14, along with the 2002
edition of “The Bourne Identity” the following
week. All will be released in separate anamorphic
widescreen and full screen editions and will include
Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks (“Undercover Brother” and “The
Bourne Identity” will also include a DTS audio
track).
Bonus material on “About A Boy” will be audio commentary,
featurette, deleted scenes, music videos, sing-a-long segments, “How
Cool Are You?” quiz, soundtrack album spot, English to English
dictionary, and DVD-ROM enhancements.
“Blue Crush” will include a featurette, deleted scenes, Lenny Kravitz
music video, two audio commentary tracks, an Inside The World Of Surfing segment,
and DVD-ROM.
“Undercover Brother” will include audio commentary by star Eddie Griffin
and director Malcolm Lee, alternate ending, blooper reel, short films, deleted
scenes, Snoop Dog music video, a featurette, and DVD-ROM games.
“The Bourne Identity” will include Doug Liman audio commentary, deleted
scenes, featurette, and DVD-ROM enhancements.
Sometime in the spring, expect DVDs of “Red Dragon,” “8
Mile,” and “The Truth About Charlie,” among many
others.
Warner
January 7 will see the release of four Valentine’s Day-themed
titles: “A Little Romance,” “Alice Adams,” “Breaking
Up,” and “Dogfight.” “Alice Adams” will
be presented in its original 1.33:1 format, while the other three
will all feature anamorphic widescreen editions. Each will include
some extras and will retail for $19.98.
 The
horror thriller “FeardotCom” is due on
January 14. The disc will retail for $26.98 and will
include audio commentary by the director and cinematographer,
an additional scene, a featurette, and a stills section.
Also on the 14th, be on the lookout for “Krush
Groove.” The 1985 hip-hop cult classic has an
SRP of $19.98, and will feature anamorphic widescreen
and Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, and audio commentary
by star Blair Underwood, director Michael Schultz,
and Source Magazine editor Brett Johnson. Also included
will be a music video.
January 28 will see a few family titles get released from Warner.
These include “Dennis The Menace,” the new direct-to-video
sequel “Dennis The Menace Strikes Again,” a 10th Anniversary
Special Edition of “Free Willy,” and the DVD debuts of “Free
Willy 2: The Adventure Home,” and “Free Willy 3: The
Rescue.” All are $19.98, anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital
2.0 (the “Dennis The Menace” titles) and 5.1 (the “Free
Willy” titles).
On February 4, the studio has planned to release “Mildred
Pierce” and “The Red Badge Of Courage” (both 1.33:1)
and “A Patch Of Blue” (anamorphic widescreen). And look
for “King Of Kings” and Otto Preminger’s “The
Cardinal” to appear sometime soon as well (possibly on February
25).
In March, look for three foreign films from three highly-regarded
international filmmakers: “Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams,” Claude
Lelouch’s “A Man And A Woman,” and one of my personal
all-time favorite foreign films, Francois Truffaut’s “Day
For Night.” All will be anamorphic widescreen and in their
original languages. “Day For Night” is set to include
three featurettes, and interviews, while “A Man And A Woman” will
include two featurettes.
Announcements for “Ghost Ship,” “White Oleander,” “Welcome
To Collinwood,” and “City By The Sea” should be
coming any day.
Full
Screen-Only Update
As many of you informed enthusiasts know by now there has been
a growing trend by the movie studios to release some of their films
on DVD in 1.33:1 (4:3) full screen format. That is, movies originally
shot and intended to be shown in w-i-d-e screen and instead presented
on DVD in a modified 1.33:1 aspect ratio.
What follows is an ongoing list of many of the DVDs released during
2002 or soon to be released with only a “modified to fit your
screen” presentation.
“Alaska”
“The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again”
“Baby: Secret Of The Lost Legend”
“Band Of The Hand”
“Bank Shot”
“Basic Training”
“Big Fat Liar”
“Can’t Buy Me Love”
“Cats Don’t Dance”
“The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes”
“The Country Bears”
“84 Charing Cross Road”
“Ernest Goes To Jail”
“Ernest Scared Stupid”
“Gus”
“Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu”
“Heartbreak Hotel”
“Honey, I Shrunk The Kids”
“Honey, I Blew Up The Baby”
“The Horse In The Gray Flannel Suit”
“How To Beat The High Cost Of Living”
“Joey”
“The Journey Of Natty Gann”
“Jungle 2 Jungle”
“The Killer Meteors”
“Larger Than Life”
“Little Big League”
“Look Who’s Talking Now”
“Max Keeble’s Big Move”
“A Midnight Clear”
“Mo’ Money”
“The Moon Spinners”
“The Mountain Men”
“Muppet Christmas Carol”
“Muppet Treasure Island”
“Music From Another Room”
“My Neighbor Totoro”
“976-Evil”
“No Man’s Land”
“Perfect”
“Piranha Part Two: The Spawning”
“The Powerpuff Girls Movie”
“The Principal”
“Quicksilver”
“Race The Sun”
“Rambling Rose”
“Return To The Blue Lagoon”
“The Road To Wellville”
“The Scent Of Green Papaya”
“The Scarlet Letter”
“Shamus”
“Sleepless”
“Snow Dogs”
“Sweet Hearts Dance”
“Stuart Little” (Deluxe Edition)
“Summer Lovers”
“Sunset Park”
“Taking Care Of Business”
“Three Men And A Little Lady”
“The 3 Worlds Of Gulliver”
“To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday”
“Toy Soldiers”
“True Love”
“2001: A Space Travesty”
“The Villain”
“White Fang”
“Indian Summer” previously appeared on the list but after further investigation
it turned out to in fact be a widescreen edition (non-anamorphic) and was mislabeled
on the jacket as a full screen presentation. And don’t be fooled by the
sticker proclaiming “Includes New Digitally Remastered Letterbox version!” that
appears on the covers of the Jackie Chan adventures “The Killer Meteors” and “Half
A Loaf Of Kung Fu.” They’re in letterbox, all right...the opening credits.
Once the credit sequence is completed...pan-and-scan.
Inside DVD & DVHS will be posted regularly on the Widescreen
Review Web site (www.Widescreen Review.com) in the DVD Release
News and Print Issue Attractions sections, and will occasionally
appear in the print edition of the magazine. |
|
|
|
|
then "Add to Home Screen"